The semi-weekly fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1887-10-14
THE G. A. R. MEETING.
Proceedings of the National
Encampment at st, Louis.
Position of the Organization on
Pension Laws Defined.

The National Encampment Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic assembled in st.
Louis on Thursday morning. The report
of committees was resumed, the first in order
being the Committee on Pensions They
relate their efforts to procure liberal legisla-
ton from Congress and the fate of the De-
pendent Pension Bill. The committee were
at Washington during the debates in Congress
over the bill
After the veto of the Dependent Pension
bill by the President the Committee prepared
n new bill for presentation at the
next Congress. This bill makes pro-
vision for pensions to all veterans
who are or who may hereafter become I'M
able to earn their own livelihood; for
direct continuance of pensions for widows
an their own right; for an increase
of the present pittance to minor chill
dren, and for fathers or mothers from
any date of dependence. Such law, the
committee says, would at once remove fully
where they now rest, making them pen
sloners instead Of paupers, provide pen
sfons for fully as many more now dependent
upon private charity, and put into the
time, the recognition Of the principle that pen
-siOns may be granted to survivors of the
late war without absolute proof of disability
- arising from the service, proof almost impoS-
Sible to procure after the lapse of more than
twenty years. The bill is similar in general
principle to that vetoed, but the objection
T1Euper clause is omitted, making this dis
ability, and not dependent, bill.
The result of submitting this bill to the
comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic
shows that whatever legislation some of the
unanimous for everything contained in
this bill Whatever else may be desira-
bic, the committee knows from the ex-
perience of five years that any additional
legislation is only to be secured inch by inch
after most persistent effort. The committee
therefore recommend the continuance of
earnest effort in favor of the following:
1.-THE bill prepared by this committee
granting pensions to all veterans now dis
Abled or in need, to mothers and fathers from
date of dependence; continuance of pensions
10 widows in their own right and an increase
for minor children.
''AIl of the recommendations for increase
and equalization of pensions for special disa-
Dilities made in his recent report by Pension
Commissioner Black.
"a pension of S12 per month to all widows
of honorably discharged soldiers and sailors
of the late war.
Increased pensions for the severer disabil-
atleS, substantially presented in the bill
prepared by the United States Manned Vet
Grams League
Pensions for the survivors of rebel pris-
ons, substantially as presented in the bill of
the National Association of Prisoners of War.
Increased pensions for loss of hearing or
syessiight:
equitable equalization of bounteS
1.-The same pension for the widow of the
representative volunteer soldier of the Union
Army-John A Logan-as is paid to the
widows of those typical regulars, Thomas
the Rock of Chickamauga, and Hancock, al
ways the Superb"
The Committee on the Annual Address of
she Commander-in-Chief Endorsed the adj
dress and congratulated Commander-in- Chief
Fairchild and the Grand Army of the
Republic upon his administration of the
past year, stating that all his official
acts and every sentiment contained
] m of he
mttee, and they believe, the approval of the
comrades. They recommended the appoint
ment of Past Commander Chief Robert
b. Beath, historian of the order, in
dorsed the recommendation of a perma-
Elent national headquarters, and approved
the suggestion that the General Govern
Ellent include in the next decennial census an
enumeration of the Union soldiers and sail
oTs of the late war who may be living in
1890. The report was unanimously adopted,
with three cheers for Fairchild.